Dr. Walter Reed, famous U. S. Army physician and medical hero of the Spanish-American War, was born here on September 13, 1851. The small, two-room and loft building was built prior to 1850. The Reed family lived here while they awaited construction of the manse. Reed's father was a Methodist minister for a nearby church. Located at the intersection of routes 616 and 614 is a small mid 19th century building authentically furnished. It is significant because it represents the early small rural dwellings once so common to Tidewater Virginia. One-story, three-bay, frame gable-roofed dwelling covered with white weather boarding and set on short brick piers.

The Medical Society of Virginia began restoring Walter Reed Birthplace in 1926, alongside the purchase of the property. They later transferred to the APVA in 1968. In 2004, the Gloucester Preservation Foundation (GPF) was formed to take over care of the birthplace. Since 2019, the Fairfield Foundation has partnered with the GPF to undertake preservation tasks and open the house to the public.

The Fairfield Foundation's mission is to promote and involve the public in hands-on archaeology, preservation and education activities within Virginia’s Middle Peninsula and surrounding areas. We are a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization offering public programs, research opportunities and outreach activities since 2000. We operate five properties in Gloucester County: Fairfield Archaeology Park, Timberneck House at Machicomoco, Edge Hill Texaco (the C.A.P.E.), Rosewell Ruins and Visitor Center, and Walter Reed Birthplace.

Walter Reed's Birthplace Located at the intersection of routes 616 and 614 is a small mid 19th century building authentically furnished. Walter Reed's Birthplace was originally purchased in 1937 by the Medical Society of Virginia and renovated to it's present conditon. It is significant because it represents the early small rural dwellings once so common to Tidewater Virginia. One-story, three-bay, frame gable-roofed dwelling covered with white weather boarding and set on short brick piers.